Senior Day will be emotional for these 3

Among the photographs on display in Lafayette’s Bourger Varsity Football House are the annual official team photos.

When he looks at the ones in which he is included, senior linebacker Spencer Brown said Tuesday, he realizes how much things have changed since his freshman year in 2006.

“When I look at the pictures of when I was a freshman, sophomore and junior and see how many kids we’ve lost, it’s amazing,” said Brown, a three-year letter winner and a part-time starter last year and this year.

“We’ve had a lot of kids quit; we’ve gotten rid of a lot of problems we had on this team. I think it shows. We’re 7-1 because of what we’ve worked for and how hard we worked in the off-season and every day in the weight room.

“Some of those guys are in the stands. They come to our games and say ‘good job’, and I say, ‘You could have been a part of it.’ I look at guys who just couldn’t do it. The fact that we’ve gone through all this as a team makes us even tighter.”

Togetherness has been a benchmark of the 2009 Leopards, who will play their final home game on Saturday when Colgate comes to Fisher Stadium for an important Patriot League game.

The 26 seniors on the team have provided the leadership and the motivation for the younger players on the squad. Three of them – Brown, center Michael Wojcik and defensive end Allan Whitesell – were featured at Tuesday’s media luncheon.

All three agreed that Saturday will be an emotional one – and one that has come around entirely too fast.

“I haven’t really thought about it being the last home game because we have two more games after it,” Brown said. “But these are the last three league games of my career and it’s going to be over. Three weeks left of football and it’s going to be done and I’m going to be a mess because I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself.”

“Yeah, the season is going really quick,” said Wojcik, who has been a starter since his sophomore year. “People tell you that all the time. I didn’t think it would, but it obviously has. This is crunch time. These are the three games that are going to determine how people look at us after this season.

“It’s been great to play here. There’s always a great crowd to play in front of. They are into the game, and I hope we can give ‘em a win. I think (crowds this year) have been down a little. The weather hasn’t helped. But doesn’t matter to us if there are 10,000 people in the stands or one person in the stands. We have to do this as a team.”

Whitesell, who was named Lafayette’s Most Improved Player in 2008, said, “There’s going to be a lot of emotion to play in Fisher Field the last time, but I’m going to try to keep the emotions in check because its just another championship game. There definitely will be some (emotion) there, and our team’s going to feel it, but we’re going to have to overcome those first emotions and play level-headed football

Whitesell again will be wearing the “South Fork Football 2005” T-shirt that he has worn for every practice and every game last year and this year.

“Yes, I’m still wearing it,” he said. “My (high school) friends have all moved on from college ball, at least the ones Istay in touch with, so I’m carrying them with me.”

Brown has a personal ritual, too.

“I always write my family’s initials on my wrist, and I always try to do the same stuff,” he said while admitting to being a bit superstitious. “I have all my family on my right side -- my son, my daughter, my fiancé, my mom and dad and uncles and aunts who had an impact on my life and football career. My friends, teammates from high school, guys I played with that had an influence on the way I play, they go on my left arm. I’ll have 10 or 12 sets of initials on each arm.”

Brown said that as he looks at those initials, it helps him focus on the task at hand – “every day is important,” he says.

Whitesell’s dad, James, will make the trip from Tequesta, Fla., and he’ll be wearing the #50 Lafayette ersey. Some aunts and uncles from New Jersey will be at Fisher Stadium, too, swelling the Whitesell rooting section to about 10 people.

But mother Amy won't make it.

Why" Her studies come first..

"My mom wishes she could be here, but she’s in graduate school and she has a test she has to do, so she’s doing that,” Whitesell said. “She’s going to be a guidance counselor. It’s just something she felt she wanted to do. She’s been in teaching for a long time. We’re both in school; it’s kind of funny.”

Brown will have a cheering section that none of his teammates can match. He has two children: son Gavin is 3, and daughter Faith is 1.

“They’re both rotten,” Brown said – but definitely in love. “They’re both in trouble. They’re very busy, always wanting to color or do balloon animals or whatever it may be. It always keeps you busy. They want to watch movies with you. They help me when Ihavea lot going on. My grades have gotten better since I have them up here.”

Brown’s fiancé, Krystal, who lives up here, too, will be on hand, as will Brown’s parents.

"They've been coming (from Newport Richey, Fla.) for every game," Brown said. "My dad (Joda) threw out his back last week. My mom (Beverly) is making him come, so he'll be here. They always fly. He's a tough guy so I'm sure he'll give me the whole speech. I always make fun of him for being old."

Wojcik;s parents, Michael Sr. and Donna, have a much shorter trip -- from Philadelphia. His grandmother and grandfather and a couple of uncles will be here, too.

"My mom and my grandmother have jerseys and en joy wearing them. I should have a good number of people here for me last home game."